What is a pediatrician?
What is a pediatrician?
A pediatrician is a medical doctor who treats children. They provide:
-Preventive health maintenance and ongoing monitoring for healthy children.
-Medical care for children who are acutely or chronically ill.
-Coordination of care for children after hospital discharge.
Pediatricians manage the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of children. This is in every stage of development, in good health or in illness.
Generally, pediatricians focus on babies, children, teens, and young adults from birth to about age 21 to:
-Reduce infant and child mortality.
-Control infectious disease.
-Foster healthy lifestyles.
-Ease the problems of children and teens with chronic conditions.
-Make sure that kids have the correct development and preventive health screenings.
Pediatricians advise on, diagnose, and treat many different diseases, including:
-Infections
-Injuries
-Genetic defects
-Malignancies
-Organic diseases and dysfunctions
-Pediatricians are concerned with more than physical health. They also are involved with the prevention, early detection, and management of other problems that affect children and teens. These include:
-Behavioral problems
-Developmental disorders
-Functional problems
-Social stresses
-Mental health disorders, such as depression or anxiety
Pediatrics is a collaborative specialty. These doctors often work with other medical specialists and healthcare professionals.
Why Do You Need a Pediatrician?
Family doctors can also provide routine care for your child. Choosing between a family doctor and a pediatrician can be a personal preference. Here are some reasons to consider choosing a pediatrician:
Pediatricians have specialized training in the physical, emotional, and behavioral needs of children.
Pediatricians only see children, so they often have a broader experience recognizing and treating childhood illnesses.
If your baby was born early or has a health condition that needs close monitoring, a pediatrician may offer more specialized care.
References
https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=85&contentid=P01054